Home Forums Reloading Shotshells - TSS and Unleaded Suggest a shot shell loader for 20 ga

20 ga, 2 3/4 ", 1 oz #8 shot, maybe 300-500 rds per month for use on Clays course.

I am shooting factory Win A-A and saving hulls at this point. I have three cases of factory to burn up. But wish to start reloading them.

I have two pounds of Longshot included in my stash of pistol powders. It was supposed to go through the 10MM, but could get redirected.

Suggestions for a loading tool, and alternate powders appreciated? I am looking at Hogdgon data online. Is there a better source handy.

Yes, this is my first foray into shotshell loading.

The mwc sizemaster is the best for the buck. Nit cheap anymore but it works well. I started on tge Lee load all 2 at age 11 and they work but I wouldn't want to do 500 rounds a month on one. The 600 jr mk5 works but at the rate your talking you want an automatic primer at least and the sizemaster comes with one and resizes better than the 600 Jr.

You are on the edge of needing something better than any I've mentioned depending on the time you have to spend at reloading. I'd say the sizemaster is the starting point for 500 a month and you can go up from there. Not a lot of options these days other than mec.

Bb

After studying availability, the Mec 8567N and the 650 both look intriguing.

The 650 is not on the Mec factory site at this time, so I wonder if it is discontinued. Though they are all over E bay, and still available from retailers.

Does the 650 do a good job of sizing?

ETA: I found a factory video. The 650 does not resize. That is a separate function on a Mec super sizer.

Unless I can find a super deal on a 650, might as well buy an 8567 as purchasing two tools.

The 650 will not size the brass and therefore can give issues in some guns. MEC made/makes a separate sizer that will just size the brass if you have a 650 and have issues.

Burleyboy hit it. Go to 7/8 oz. And don't look back. If you need 1 oz loads to shoot clay birds buy a 12 you will tired of Longshot hot loads in a 20 damned quick. Sizemaster or 600 jr fug the 650.
Mb

Get a Mec 9000 and don't look back. A Mec 600 Jr. works good to but not as fast. Both load nice shells.

which ever Mec you end up with, go ahead and upgrade to the Universal charge bar.

You can load quite a few shells in an hour with the Sizemaster once you get your rhythm down. I use to load 400 to 500 a week back when the club I belonged to had a trap and skeet coarse.

For the money, as others have mentioned here, get a MEC. And for the amount you are planning to load, I’d certainly get a progressive (a loaded shell with each pull of the handle).

I shoot a lot, have six: a 12 gauge 9000, a 20 gauge 9000, a 20 gauge Grabber, a 28 gauge 9000 and a .410 Grabber.

The only enduring issue I have had with MEC machines is with primer feeding, both the older and newer designs. Not a big deal if you get your loading process right and critically look at each primer drop. While it is a bit cheaper than the Grabber or 9000, I would skip the 650 as it lacks the collet resizer of the others.

For your plans, I would consider going to the Grabber. It’s pretty fast, a bit easier to trouble shoot when something isn’t right. I would also consider losing only 7/8 oz in 20 gauge, which when loaded with a good wad and magnum shot is a superb gun for any range on any sporting clays course. You will break more with the right 12 gauge gun, but that’s more about the guns dynamics than the load.

I might be persuaded to sell the 20 gauge Grabber, but I need to think on it.

Thank you kind folks for the advice.

Let me know if/when you decide to let that grabber go.

I have to admit, I lost sight of my priorities this weekend. My daughters bought me a couple of Cabelas gift cards, plus points, I could have bought a MEC reloader.

But I lost it when I saw they had a Remington 700 in 260 available with the Magpul stock and factory AICS mag on a clearance price. Just one left, and way cheaper than gunbroker.

Discretionary funds will begin to accrue from 0 once again.

Old man once told me the truth if ever I heard it..."deals will be there, long after the money is gone..."
So true.

Right? Something that I’ve been trying to drill into the younger guys I’m around. Save your powder, there’s another one coming all the time.

I have three basic MEC loaders, 12, 20 and 28 ga.

Simple and basic.

DF

I've found it cheaper to shoot the cheap Federal 4 packs from Walmart than to reload. I shoot trap---12 gauge about the same number of rounds per month.

I dont shoot skeet no more. But i do a ton of squirrel hunting. One side of my reloading room. Has my rifle and pistol stuff. Other side has Mec reloaders 600 jr mark 5's in 410 3, 28ga, 20 ga and a 12ga.

MEC Sizemaster